Gerald O’Neill Shares Expertise with Suffolk Students

March 21, 2012

With more than 30 years of financial experience in the healthcare industry, Gerald F. O’Neill is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge as a lecturer in Suffolk’s Healthcare Programs.

“Healthcare will be undergoing dramatic changes over the next decade, as the nation copes with the cost of healthcare and an aging population. I hope to impart my experience with this transition to students entering the healthcare administration field,” said O’Neill, who teaches Healthcare Accounting and Healthcare Financial Management courses.

To keep pace with the ever-evolving healthcare industry, the Healthcare Programs offer rigorous curricula that incorporate both theory and real-world practices. “Suffolk University has an excellent reputation for business and legal education, and I’m proud to be associated with its expanding Healthcare Administration Programs," O’Neill said.

He currently serves as the director of finance for Winchester Hospital in Massachusetts, where he oversees the general accounting, decisions support, and patient financial services departments. He has played a critical role in increasing the hospital’s revenue and eliminating debt.

He began his career as a financial analyst at Malden Hospital, while he was earning his MBA from Northeastern University.

In 1986, O’Neill went on to serve as treasurer for the North Suburban Health Systems Inc., which consists of the Malden Hospital, Glenridge Health Care Center, Malden Visiting Nurse Association, Healthcorp, and Sunrise Preschool Learning Center.

From 1997 to 1998, O’Neill served as the senior financial planning specialist for the Hallmark Health Corporation, where he played an integral role in the merger of Lawrence Memorial, Melrose-Wakefield, and Malden Hospital.

O’Neill later served as the senior vice president, chief financial officer, and corporate compliance officer for Holy Family Hospital Inc. In addition to managing the financial operations of the hospital, he also oversaw the information systems, patient registration, medical records, and material management departments.

O’Neill is a member of the board of directors for the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and Massachusetts Hospital Association Insurance Agency. He is also a fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA), past president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the HFMA, former regional executive for Region One HFMA, and former member the Committee on Finance for the Massachusetts Hospital Association.

“Healthcare is a uniquely personal service. It has been very satisfying to have a role in ensuring that adequate resources are provided to clinicians to perform their healing activities," O’Neill said.

He also appreciates the variety of opportunities available in the field. “The healthcare industry will be undergoing significant change in the near future, and it will be an exciting, challenging, and rewarding work environment,” he said.